countdown...

I am going to the Frontier Days rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming this Saturday.  I am so excited.  You know it is a big deal when they call it, "the daddy of all rodeos".  I think this may be a bit bigger than my small town  rodeo.  I do feel a strong inclination to buy a kicky pair of boots and a blinged out belt buckle.  Cowgirls just love their bling.  What do you think?

a goal of mine

I have always been jealous of people that can learn a second language with ease and grace. I took so many years of Spanish, but to no avail. I marveled at people's claims of dreaming their new found language. Not even an hola in my dreams. Well I finally made it.

Now I dream in Montessori!

Almost every night I dream about lesson plans, the materials, or me actually giving the lesson. The other night I abruptly woke up with my hands holding a "red rod".

I have made it.

Tyler came to visit!

don't worry, I still did homework

Rocky Mtn. National Park

jealous anyone?

we saw so many animals!

Our drive up Boulder Canyon

look close, that is a prairie dog town (Tyler loved this!)

Tyler came for an extended visit over Fourth of July weekend. We had a great time. We rented bikes, watched movies, went to Rocky Mtn. National Park, went out to breakfast (Tyler's favorite), hung out with my friends, explored downtown Denver, and he even participated in lunch bunch (yes for me it is typically about the food!) Thanks for coming Tyler, it was so much fun!

Things that make me happy!

Lunch Bunch.

moment of silence for the revered lunch bunch...

I started a lunch bunch group with 4 other healthy eaters in my class. I only have to bring morning snack and lunch for the five of us 1 day per week. Every other day, I show up to school and the food is provided. People go all out for lunch now because they only have to bring it one time per week. I just love it! I only have to pack four more lunches this summer. What a beautiful thing.

Rocky Mtn. National Park

A snowball fight with Kristen! So cold!!

Me and my roommate Anita. She is so awesome!

Kristen and her Mom came to Boulder for the weekend. We rented bikes and went all around the city, then we headed up to Rocky Mtn. National Park (about an hour away) for the afternoon. We had a great time!

My weekend

I had a great first weekend in Boulder!  I played sand volleyball for 3 hours on Saturday at the local rec center (I am so sore!)  I went out for sushi with friends from my training Friday night.  I went on a hike with friends from my training on Saturday morning (pictures featured), took a nap, went to church and did HW.  

The views from my house

from my front door

this is a huge ranch that is essentially our backyard! it is so beautiful to wake up to!

from my deck

My house in Boulder

below are pictures of where I am staying in Boulder.  The house I am staying in is so nice!  I have the entire bottom floor to myself, equipped with a bedroom, sitting room, and my own bathroom.  My roommate Anita is awesome too!  She is the best roommate (expect for Tyler)

my room


my own sitting room


my kitchen

Kherrington's blessing

my niece Kherrington and her mama Megan

Kristen

I went to Pittsburgh this summer to see Kristen. I had so much fun! Here is my favorite picture that I took of Kristen. More to follow!!!

Destination

My new favorite picture that I took while on my cruise. I call it "Destination" Te he

DC trip

I got to visit Kristen in Pittsburgh. We also made a side trip to DC (which included two nights sleeping on a nasty bus...gotta love cheap transportation!) We met up with Chris in DC and he showed us all around. We even got important badges! DC is a beautiful city, with lots of cool things, but it was definitely humid (hence the picture of me looking like an airplane at the Smithsonian...I am not even a sweaty person!)

nieces and nephews

I have gotten to spend a little bit of time with all of my nieces and nephews this summer. It has been so fun! We have done crafts, went swimming, to the library and baked banana bread. Unfortunately...I have one picture. It is cute though! This is Abby and Jake making banana bread.

Recovered kitchen chairs

old chair...


new chair...


You like?

my beautiful niece Kherrington

Alex and I took pictures of my new niece Kherrington (Congrats Megan and Trevor!). We learned very quickly that taking infant pictures are difficult! Here are my three favorites.

Luna pics

I love going to Luna. It is a place full of beauty, memories and cowboys (which my niece Abby has taken a liking too!) Here are a few pictures from my trip.